The Fierce Women of Indian Mythology

For many centuries, in India, and around the globe, men dominated the literary space. From the scriptures to epics, stories, to folklore. Not only did the male authors focus on the stories of great, righteous and powerful men, but they also took away the chance of any glory from the women. The women characters when narrated by men were painfully simplified. They were either portrayed as goddesses or demons or simply placeholders that moved per the flow of the story, their roles never fully justified. Whereas, men’s characters were endowed with more complexities, detailing, a great back story, and a motive that drives them.

Thankfully, the story is a little different, today. Many modern women writers are reincarnating the characters that deserved a better narration. By retelling their stories, writers like Saiswaroopa Iyer, Anuja Chandramouli, Kavita Kane are bringing back fierce women in Indian mythology away from the shadows, into the limelight, giving them a voice. Girl power FTW!

So, hop on the bandwagon, because it’s about time that women told women’s stories!

Here are a few books you can pick up to gain a new perspective.

Rukmini by Saiswaroopa Iyer

A Princess. A Lover. A Goddess
An overreaching emperor thought he would use her as a pawn.
Her eldest brother became a tool of her enemy.
In her own family, she had none to call her own.
But Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha, made a choice.
She would not bow down to patriarchy.

The story of Rukmini is often overshadowed by the glorious exploits of her charismatic husband, Krishna Vaasudeva. For the very first time, this novel gives Rukmini her due. It portrays the life of the feisty bride who made bold choices not only while eloping with her beloved but all through her life to become a resplendent goddess, a fitting partner to the most beloved god of the land.

Sita by Sini Panicker

As she contemplates hymns and the very meaning of life, we see a woman evolved far beyond her time, a woman who speaks to us today, out of the narrative of one of the oldest epics.

Set in the Vedic times of ancient India, Sita narrates the story of her turbulent life intimately, detailing her deepest despairs, grief and horrors, and her profound love for Ram. This is a spirited and enduring Sita calmly recollecting her transformation at various stages of her life, from an abandoned infant to a cherished princess, a delightful bride to a dissolute hermit in exile, a captive of an enemy to a queen, and culminating as a poor, homeless mother of twin boys in an ashram. Ancient India’s geographical, social, intellectual and cultural portraits accompany Sita gracefully, throughout her journey.

Mohini by Anuja Chandramouli

Elusive as a fragment of a forgotten dream, fragile as a figment from fantasy, Mohini is perfection made possible.

Distilled from the essence of Vishnu, Mohini the Enchantress is a part of him and yet she revels in the autonomy and extraordinary powers of beauty, magic and enchantment that are hers to wield. She is loved and desired by all in existence and yet, she is elusive—a tantalizing temptress, traipsing her way across the topsy-turvy terrain of fable and myth.

Mohini’s meandering path will see her in the thick of things as the Devas and Asuras try to get their hands on Amrita—the nectar of immortality, blunder into a love triangle that will spark a bloody war, fulfil the last wish of a dead hero, and traipse into a romantic tryst with Mahadeva. She also becomes the mother of Shastha, a beacon of hope for all who are considered oddities by a spiteful society that recognizes only two genders.

Set against the tumult and intrigue of a celestial quest for immortality, Anuja Chandramouli brings the extraordinary saga of Mohini to vivid life. She takes the reader on a dizzying ride through the shifting sands of time, expertly navigating the quagmire of gender, love, lust and desire, deftly untangling the threads of tall tales and terrible truths, while spinning a deliciously entertaining yarn for the ages.

Menaka’s Choice by Kavita Kane

Menaka is the most beautiful of all the apsaras in the world who was born with brains and talent. She was born during the churning of oceans. In spite of her enigmatic beauty she always desired for a family that she could never have. On the other hand, a great sage by the name Vishwamitra, defies the gods and challenges to create another heaven. The king of gods, Indra got threatened by him and decided to put a stop to his rising desires and powers by sending Menaka to seduce him. What will happen when Menaka meets up with Vishwamitra? Will she be satisfied after meeting him or will she have to surrender to her destiny once again? This beautifully written mythological book will throw light on this.

This book not only talks about their love but in detail talks about the woman who is fighting for her dreams in this male-dominated society and about the man who wants to achieve his goals challenging everything that comes his way. It is a story of her pains, struggles and choices in a man’s world. The subject has been dealt with well, the friendly scenes have been done classily and the end is very good. The book is written in a very simple yet fascinating manner. The tale is a mixture of everything, love, betrayal, acceptance, help, responsibility, respect and recovery. The book is an easy read which will keep you entertained all along.

Draupadi by Saiswaroopa Iyer

Being born a princess, and raised by a loving father and three doting brothers would make life seem like a bed of roses to any woman. Born out of the sacred fire, Draupadi is no ordinary woman, and her destiny cannot be to walk the beaten path.

Witnessing estrangement and betrayal within her own family makes her perceptive and intuitive beyond her years. Complicated marital relationships, a meteoric rise and a fateful loss, humiliation unheard of and a pledge of revenge, all culminating in a bloody war—her ordeal seemed never-ending. Yet she stands up to it all—never succumbing, never breaking. One of the most unforgettable characters of the Mahabharata, Draupadi shows what a woman is capable of.

Told with great sensitivity and passion, this book brings alive a character of epic proportions—one that resonates with every reader across space and time.

Ganga by Anuja Chandramouli

Believed to be the liquid manifestation of Shakti and the nurturer of the three worlds with her life-sustaining waters, Goddess Ganga is the epitome of beauty and purity, famous for her indomitable spirit and boundless charm. Renowned as a devoted daughter, a caring mother, a passionate lover and a merciful saviour, she is here to absorb and absolve us of our sins. A constant goddess, she is part of the Indian ethos, revered and loved across the ages.
The exquisite epic that is Ganga’s story, from her miraculous origins, her sojourn in the heavens, her poignant relationships with the divine trinity, the birth of her sons Bhishma and Kartikeya and her descent into a wicked world that is not worthy of her, is dazzlingly told by Anuja Chandramouli. Without this Goddess, life as we know it will be over, for her righteous retribution will be terrifying.

This book is a vibrant retelling of the story of Ganga, who has the power to save us all and bestow the precious gift of moksha, embracing saints and sinners alike with her all-encompassing compassion.

Which book are you picking up first?